Parents, Here's What You Need To Know About Looking After Your Kids' Mental Health

Parents not confident with mental health

2017-10-09T23:22:38Z

Parents can struggle to spot signs of a mental health problem in their children, a poll has found.

Research released from The Royal Children's Hospital's Child Health Poll found only a third (35 per cent) of more than 2000 parents surveyed were 'confident' in recognising the signs of a mental health problem in their child.

A further third of parents believed a child's mental health problems might be best left alone to work themselves out over time; and less than half (44 per cent) felt confident they would know where to get help if their child experienced social, emotional or behavioural difficulties.

Director of the RCH Poll, paediatrician Dr Anthea Rhodes says children can develop many of the same mental health difficulties as adults but they often manifest in different ways, making them harder to recognise.

"Even if parents are unsure, there is no harm in having a conversation with their GP or school counsellor about any emotional, social or behavioural difficulties they think their child may be experiencing," Dr Rhodes added.

"Ignoring signs that may indicate a child is in need of help can result in the problem becoming more entrenched and much harder to treat."

SIGNS OF POSSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN YOUNGER CHILDREN

* Sadness a lot of the time

* Ongoing worries or fears

* Obsessions or compulsive habits that interfere with everyday life

* Ongoing problems getting along with other children or fitting in at school, kinder or child care

* Aggressive or consistently disobedient behaviour, such as frequent yelling, kicking, hitting, biting or damaging things around them